Saturday, August 5, 2017

What: Vancouver’s 14th Annual Dyke March & Festival begins in McSpadden Park at 11 am with pre-March festivities and a community art project. The March will leave McSpadden Park at noon and make its way down Commercial Drive to end at Grandview Park for the Festival. The Festival will take place from 1 to 5 pm, and involve performances from various artists, feature queer-friendly vendors, and create a space to gather with friends, family, and the community.

What: The White Rock Sea Festival is a summer tradition, over the August long weekend, that has been celebrating seaside fun for more than 60 years. A favourite of locals and visitors, there are live performances, a waterfront market, fireworks, torchlight parade, kids sandcastle competition and the crowning ceremony of Miss White Rock.

What: Canada’s largest celebration of Japanese Canadian arts and culture held in Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighbourhood. Enjoy live music, Japanese food, sumo wrestling, vendors and more.

What: Grab a blanket and a friend and head down to Holland Park for Lego Batman. The family friendly event also features activities, games and entertainment from local performers. Activities begin at 5 pm, and the movie starts at dusk.

What: You might remember Rodriguez from the film Searching for Sugar Man, which discovered the US singer-songwriter had no idea he was a huge hit in South Africa, and had faded into obscurity. Well, now he’s back and it’s just as sweet as ever.

What: Vancouver Street Dance Festival is an annual event that celebrates and shares the city’s diverse street dance culture, providing an opportunity for the community to engage with the public. Featuring showcases, battles, DJs and more.

When: August 4 to 6

Where: Robson Square

Price: Free

Sunday, August 6, 2017

What: The streets of downtown will be packed on August 6 as the annual Vancouver Pride Parade will make its way through the city for a three hour long route. With approximately 150 entries expected to take part in the highly anticipated celebration, spectators will see a wide array of costumes and colours making their way along downtown streets.

What: One of Vancouver’s favourite beaches will become the home of Pride’s big finale, as over 100,000 are expected to turn out for the annual Sunset Beach Festival, the go-to party at the end of the Pride Parade. The parade itself finishes at Sunset Beach, drawing all the performers, floats, costumes, and spectators towards the area. The festival will include beer gardens, and attendees can purchase a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) keychain that loads up with cash to make purchasing a drink quicker, as well as Express Passes that will get you into the beer garden ahead of the line.

Where: Sunset Beach – 1204 Beach Avenue, Vancouver

When: August 6 from 11 am to 6 pm

Admission: Free! But an Express Pass for the beer garden is $20 – get online

What: A one-of-a-kind Pride garden party taking place at the Sheraton Wall Centre on August 6. Dance on one of two dance floors and hear five DJs spinning tracks throughout the event. This includes Rose Garcia (Real L Word), well-known NYC and LA DJ Whitney Day, Nathalie Morel, Agent 99, Armistice, and Miss M.

What: The big, beautiful, spicy, pumping, and powerful Hershe Bar will be throwing the grand finale party of Pride. This party’s an indoor festival with two spacious clubs, six of North America’s finest DJs, jets of confetti, lasers, and sizzling hot dancers. If you get a ticket then you’ll also gain access to both neighbouring venues, so you can stick with one style or wander between. Everyone who’s 19+ is welcome to attend.

What: Whether you’re a beginner or Salsa pro, these afternoons will definitely spice up your summer. Taught by some of Vancouver’s best salsa instructors, the summer 2017 season runs until August 13. Following the lessons, there is a dance show that features some of Vancouver’s most talented dancers.

When: Every Sunday to August 13. Lessons run from 3 to 3:30 pm. Dance show starts at 5 pm. After party begins at 7 pm.

What: Hit up Fortune Sound for the Pride edition of this event. The organizers are giving you 10 international and local Queer, Lesbian & Trans DJs to choose from, playing house, hiphop, trap, 90s and Y2K jams, dancehall, bass music and breaks. And for the first time ever a secret level in Fortune is opening up, with rad artwork, a bar, and lots of chill space.

What: A global charity event hosted by Canada Youth Arts Development Foundation with the support of UNICEF. The Youth World Cup Live Painting Competition aims to raise awareness for underprivileged children, provide a platform to help and give them a better future and to promote the cultural and artistic exchange among youth and children globally. The theme of this year event is “Friendship, Dream and Environment Protection”, and children and Youth Artists, ages 4 to 25, across the world will be participating in the competition.

What: Join pro rider and member of the Canadian National Para-cycling Team, Joanie Caron on this road ride to Deep Cove or enjoy a more casual ride along the scenic, Central Valley Greenway with one of the Ride Ambassadors.

What: Pack a blanket and bring your friends to VanDusen Botanical Garden for Social Sundays this August. The Paul Filek Band, signature cocktails, and lawn games will get you grooving on Sunday afternoons. All ages event, but ID is required for liquor purchase.